Thermometer case



June 22 1926. 1,589,430

` C. s. J. RUSSELL THERMOMETER CASE Filed March 8, 1926 CIV PatentedJune 22, 1926.

uNiTEnsrArss PATENT oFFicE."

CLAUDE S. J. RUSSELL, OF WATERTOWN,

NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO FAICHNEY IN- STRUIVIENT CORPORATION, OF WATERTOWN,NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

THERMOMETER CASE.

' Application filed March 8, 1926- SerialrfNo'. 93,142.

rlhis invention relates to improvements in thermometer cases, and hasfor its object to provide a novel and simple receptacle, comprising asingle tubular body and a telescopic cap therefor, the interior of thebody being fitted with a light metal bushing, which is formed withsimilar spaced compartments or pockets, in which two thermometers may beinserted and safely carried, and from which one thermometer may bewithdrawn and replaced without disturbing or being hindered by the otherthermometer. A further object is to provide Vtwin sheaths that areequipped with tension means for gripping and holding the thermometersagainst accidental shifting or escaping from .the case, when the latteris being carried in a pocket or handled, and the protecting cap isremoved. A further object is to provide means for cushioning andsterilizing the delicate and fragile bulbs of the thermometers when thelatter are sheathed. And a further Objectis to generally improve andsimplify thermometer holders of this class.

I attain these objects by means set forthV in the detailed descriptionwhich follows, and as illustrated by the accompanying drawing, in which.

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the complete case, with the capattached. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section showing twothermometers supported by twin sheaths; the latter being in elevation.Fig. 3 is an enlarged central longitudinal section, with the capremoved; showing the thermometers held by tension exerted by portions ofthe sheaths; also showing cushion means for protecting the bulbs. Fig. 4is a side elevation of the tubular sheath7 Fig. 5 is an edge view of thesame-.Vv Fig. 6 is a transverse section, taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 3,showing the formation of the sheath and the tension means. Fig. 7 is anend view of a plain tube from which the sheaths are made. Fig. 8 isrespectively top and bottom end vie-ws of the complete case. And Fig. 9is a transverse section through the case; showing the sheaths asseparate parts. In the drawing, 2 represents the tubular body ofthecase, having a closed end 2, and a normally open end 2a, the latterbeing externally threaded.` '3 represents the cap, having a closed end3', and the opposite end being open and internally threaded for engagingthe threads of the body 2. rlhe body S3 has a relatively large bore foraccommodating twov thermometers as L -l', the

part is formed from a plain pliable tube ofr any suitable material as 5(see Fig. 7), which may be rolled, molded, or otherwise operated upon,for providing similar flattened or elliptical tubular guards or sheaths,

as best seen in Fig. 6. In practice, the spacing of the sheathes-l whenthe latter are constructed is such that, the span of the two sheaths isslightly greater than the diameter of the body 2,Y and requires someforce, -ln order to insert the connected sheaths into the bore of thebody 2. To this end, the metal of the tube 5 is preferably relativelythin, and of a springy nature, whereby the sheaths 5-5 may be flexedtoward each other when they are installed. By this arrangement, thenormal tension of the sheathing member tends to hold the said member inplace without anyl other fas.- tening means. The opposite edges of thedouble holder 5 5 is preferably sheared or slitted, as at 5b, forproviding similar narrow integral longitudinal tension portions 5, whichare afterwards bent inwardly,vas shown in Figs. 2, 3, l and 5', forfrictionally and resiliently engaging :and holding the thermometers fromaccidental detachment or escape from the sheaths. The

springs 5c also tend to force and hold the thermometers in thecorresponding crotches 5d, thatv are formed by the oppositely facingrlongitudinal flutes 5e, and thereby prevent shifting or iioating of thethermomenters in the relatively roomy pockets 5.-'5. The inner end ofthe sheathing member '5 5', is preferably stuffed with absorbent cushionmaterial 6,` like felt, which affords a soft and yielding seat-for thefragile bulbs fla. The cushion 6, furthermore, tends to preserve theaxial alignment of the thermometers andthe sheaths, as shown in 3, andobviates danger of breaking the bulbs or allowing the heads of thethermometers to cant and contact with the hard inner wells of the cap 3.The cushion 6 is preferably saturated with suitable sterilizing liquidfor guarding against infection.

rlhe provision oi the single case 2, and the twin sheaths 5 5 greatlysimpliiies the construction, and also reduces the'number of parts of thecase and enables physician, surgeon or nurse to conveniently carry twothermometers that occupy but little more space than heretofore requiredfor a single thermometer. By the use of the novel and simple sheathingvineens, es herein shown and deseribed, two thermometers such es arecommonly employed by doctors and nurses may be compactly encased andreadily and safely handled, and there is no danger olf either ot theinstruments being returned, :ritter rising, to the Wrong; pocket orsheath. llhis is a very desirable provision, since it permits the use ofone thermometer 'for contagious diseases, and u second thermometer forthe ordinary non-contagious Lsilments.

Obviously separate sheaths, us Tb-7 shown in Fig. 9, may be used insteadof t-he unitary sheathing member 5 5', and also other modiiications andchanges may be mede Without departing from the scope of my invention.

Havingv thus described my invention, what claim, is

In a thermometer case, e hollow body, e teleseoping cap therefor, and atubular member adapted orinsertion in said body having opposed spacedlongitudinal flutes extending throughout the length of said tubularmember to provide longitudinal sheaths to reeeive e pair otthermometers, said sheeths having' their opposed' faces slittedintermediate their ends und the slitted portions being displace-dinwardlyto provide tensioningmeans adapted .to-cooperate with theopposed fluted portions `for exerting pressure upon and to preventaccidental, displacement of the thermometers in the case.

In testimony whereof I ahx my signature.

CLAUDE S. J. RUSSELL.

